There was a heavy fog around first thing, and I waited until it had
cleared a little before choosing to go out. The plan was to go to the South
Downs to see if we could keep out of the mud, however as we got closer the fog
was stuck on the tops. A quick rethink and we kept going to the south of the
downs with the idea to walk around the woods and fields of the Angmering
estate. We parked in a small car park at the end of Dover road (a small lane
off the west to east lane of the A27).
We took a back track out of the car park leading to a staggered cross road
beside some horse jumping tracks.
Up the driveway leading to Wepham Ball, where we split off left and into the
trees of Lower Wepham wood on a wide fire break track.
The track ended at a metalled road with some vehicles parked on the verge (we
had been here before earlier int he year). We crossed over and dropped down to
the valley below - New Down.
We then followed the track winding up the valley beside a gallop track.
Unfortunately there was a shooting party going on up the far side of the valley,
but luckily I could keep Bertie off the lead and running around.
Looking around the end of the valley towards the top of the downs.
The valley curved around to the north and started to climb up to the skyline.
At the top we turned east for a short section on a dirt track, and then more
southern climbing up to the top of the grassy knoll.
A family of kites we enjoying the sun above us as we climbed.
Over the top of Barpham hill and past the trig point. On the way we passed a
series of ramparts - there must have been an ancient structure up here.
Over the hill we joined the farm track to Upper Barpham farm buildings, and then
on down to Upper Oldfield Copse where our track diverged from the driveway.
The sun was creating vistas in the woods as we joined the fire break track
through Lower Oldfield Copse
Just before Wepham Ball, we turned east once again and the track changed to a
footpath. We crossed over a series of grass and arable fields, below Angmering
stud farm.
The path continued due east through the woods of Selden Fields and Surgeon's
Fields, before a final field. We missed the junction to the path south but
walked down the edge into the village
Up past the church and back out into the fields, this time heading west. The
fields up to Selden Farm were the muddiest section of the whole walk. The recent
rain on ploughed soil had churned it all up.
Beyond the farm we continued in the same direction through grass fields (and
less mud).
We left the fields above Hammerpot on a byway going north into the copse of the same name. At the northern edge of the copse we turned west for the last time and followed the top of the woods back to the car park
The carpark was busy when we arrived in the morning, but now was almost empty. Time for a late lunch before driving home.
